Municipal Elections

During odd-numbered years, North Carolina cities, villages and towns hold “municipal elections.” These are for local governing officials (think mayors, city/town councils, county commissioners, etc.).

Not every municipality will have an election in 2017. Some elections are held every four years. Some municipalities have their local elections in even-numbered years.

If your municipality does have an election in 2017, you may vote if you have resided in the municipality for at least 30 days before the date of the election.

There are four different types of municipal election methods in North Carolina. Learn more and mark your calendars accordingly!

1) Simply Plurity Method: This is the most common municipal election method. This is a nonpartisan method where the candidate with the most votes wins. Election date: November 7, 2017.

2) Partisan Primary & Election Method: Fewer than six (6) North Carolina municipalities use this type of election method. It looks similar to statewide elections in even-years: depending on the number of candidates who file to run, there may be a primary election (September 12, 2017). If no candidate wins the majority in the September primary, then a second primary is held on October 10, 207. The general election will be held on November 7, 2017.

3) Non-partisan Primary & Election Method: If more candidates file for a seat than twice the number of seats to be elected, then this election method allows for a nonpartisan primary election (October 10, 2017). Note: because these are nonpartisan elections, each candidate’s party affiliation will not be printed on the ballot. Similar to the first two methods above, the general election will be held on November 7, 2017.

4) Election & Runoff Method: A North Carolina municipality that uses this method will elect its leaders in a nonpartisan October general election (October 10, 2017). But, if there is no clear winner in October, then a “run-off” election will be held on November 7, 2017.